Sealing and retaining cable attachment for telecommunications closures

ABSTRACT

There is provided a cable attachment for sealing and retaining cables entering an opening of a telecommunications closure. The cable attachment includes an adapter body with an opening through which the cable passes; and a grip device and grommet device are also located within the opening of the adapter body for strain relieving and sealing, respectively, the cable passing through the adapter body. The cable attachment further includes a bolt portion that is selectively moveable relative to the adapter body for applying a force to the grommet device for selectively creating a seal about an outer surface of the cable. Alternative designs for sealing and/or strain relieving cables entering a closure are provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/702,965, entitled “OptisheathCable Add Kit” and filed Jul. 27, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to telecommunications closures, andmore particularly, to apparatus and methods for inserting at least onecable into a telecommunication closure.

2. Description of Related Art

Telecommunications closures for housing communications equipment aredeployed at various points along the distribution network.Telecommunications closures are positioned at various locations such asaerially from a utility pole, above ground on a pedestal, or belowground in a below grade closure. One example of a telecommunicationsclosure is a splice closure configured to be positioned below ground.Conventional splice closures include components such as splice traysand/or slack hubs to facilitate the splicing of one or more fiber opticcables. Such splice closures are preferably watertight to prevent anydegradation of the fibers and/or splices due to the ingress of water andother elements.

Telecommunications closures typically include one or more openingsdefined in the closure to allow the cables, which are connected, stored,and/or otherwise present within the closure, to enter and exit theclosure. Preferably, the closure provides a generally sealed environmentto protect the connectors, cables, and other hardware stored within theclosure from water, dirt, moisture, infestation, or the like.Conventional closures typically include grommets that areinterchangeable and that provide a variety of openings through which oneor more cables may pass into the closure. To run a cable into a closure,a field technician typically removes a plug device (such as a grommetwith no openings), selects a grommet with one or more openings suitablefor the cable to pass through, positions the cable through the grommet,and then places the grommet into the opening of the closure. Oneshortfall of this approach is that the grommet openings may not alwaysbe optimally sized to seal the cable. Furthermore, the grommets do notprovide any strain relief to the cable entering the closure. Therefore,a need exists for a cable attachment that conveniently seals and retainsa cable entering a telecommunications closure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages byproviding a cable attachment that seals and retains a cable entering atelecommunications closure through an opening defined in the closure.The cable attachment of the present invention provides convenient andreliable retention of a cable entering the closure. The cable attachmentof various embodiments of the present invention comprises an adapterbody configured to be positioned adjacent the opening of the closure,such as within the opening in some embodiments. A grip device is alsoincluded in the cable attachment and is positioned within an opening ofthe adapter body. A grommet device is also positioned within the openingof the adapter body and proximate the grip device. The grip device, suchas a grip washer or set screw in various embodiments of the presentinvention, provides an aperture sized to grip at least a portion of theouter surface of the cable, and the grommet device provides a passagewayto allow the cable to traverse the grommet device in a generally axialdirection relative to the cable. The cable attachment also includes abolt portion configured to engage the opening of the adapter, such as bythreading in some embodiments of the present invention, to selectivelyapply a force, such as a compressive force, upon the grommet device sothat the grommet device engages the outer surface of the cable.Therefore, the cable attachment of some embodiments of the presentinvention seals the cable entry by compressing the grommet device aroundthe cable and, additionally, the cable attachment retains the cable withthe grip device. Various embodiments of the present invention alsocomprise a telecommunications closure that includes one or more cableattachments, such as the cable attachment described above.

The present invention also comprises methods for conveniently insertinga cable into a telecommunications closure to seal and retain the cable.One embodiment of the present invention comprises inserting the cablethrough the bolt portion, the passageway of the grommet device, throughthe aperture of the grip device, and through the opening of the adapterbody. Once the cable is properly positioned in an axial direction, thebolt device is moved relative to the adapter body to seal and retain thecable. Still further embodiments of the present invention provideadditional apparatuses and methods for sealing and retaining a cableentering a telecommunications closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale and are meant to be illustrative and not limiting, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cable attachment inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,illustrating an optional plug that may be selectively inserted into thecable attachment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cable attachment of FIG. 1,illustrating the cable attachment assembled and retaining the optionalplug;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cable attachment of FIG.1, illustrating a cable passing through the bolt portion, a flat washer,a grommet device, a grip device, and an adapter body,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cable attachment of FIG. 1,illustrating the cable attachment assembled and retaining a cable with astripped jacket;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cable attachment of FIG. 1, illustratingthe view window that reveals a stripped jacket that has not been fullyinserted;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cable attachment of FIG. 1, illustratingthe view window that reveals a stripped jacket that has been fullyinserted;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cable attachment of FIG. 1,illustrating the adapter body of the cable attachment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cable attachment of FIG. 1, furtherillustrating the adapter body of the cable attachment;

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b are partial perspective views of cable attachments inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention installedon different closures, wherein the tab portions of the adapter bodiesare rotationally locked by the protrusions of the closure;

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are a top view and bottom view, respectively, of agrip device in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating a grip device that comprises a grip washer;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the grip device of FIGS. 10 a and 10 bpositioned on a cable, illustrating the grip device gripping the cable;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the grip device of FIGS. 10 a and 10 bpositioned on an elliptical jacketed cable, illustrating the grip devicegripping the radially extended portions of the elliptical jacketedcable;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the grip device of FIGS. 10 a and 10 bpositioned on an elliptical jacketed cable, illustrating the grip devicenot gripping the radially inward portions of the elliptical jacketedcable;

FIGS. 14 a-d are perspective views of a cable attachment in accordancewith a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gripdevice comprises a single flat jacket piercing grip device;

FIGS. 15 a-d are perspective views of a cable attachment in accordancewith a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gripdevice comprises a double flat jacket piercing grip device;

FIGS. 16 a-d are perspective views of a cable attachment in accordancewith a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gripdevice comprises a U-shaped jacket piercing grip device;

FIGS. 17 a-d are perspective views of a cable attachment in accordancewith a seventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gripdevice comprises a single setscrew; and

FIGS. 18 a-d are perspective views of a cable attachment in accordancewith a eighth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gripdevice comprises a double setscrew.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Although apparatus and methods for sealing and/or strainrelieving cables inserted into telecommunications closures are describedand shown in the accompanying drawings with regard to specific types ofcable attachments, it is envisioned that the functionality of thevarious apparatus and methods may be applied to any now known orhereafter devised cable attachment in which it is desired to seal and/orstrain relieve cables inserted into telecommunications closures. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

With reference to FIGS. 1-18 d, cable attachments in accordance withvarious embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. The cableattachments of the present invention may be used with anytelecommunications closure for any telecommunications system, such ascopper, fiber optic cable, or other systems. Furthermore, the cableattachments of the present invention may be used with any type ofclosure, including, but not limited to, network interface devices,network access point closures, pedestals, local convergence cabinets,aerial closures, splice closures, terminals, and the like, whetherlocated aerially, above ground, below grade, or in any other fashion.The cable attachments may be provided individually to be installed inpre-existing closures, or the cable attachments may be provided with theclosures either permanently attached or selectively removable.Furthermore, the cable attachments may be sized to accommodate any sizedcable of any material and/or comprising any number of individual fibers,fiber arrays, lines, or other signal carriers therein. Furtherembodiments of the present invention include cable attachments designedto seal and retain two or more individual cables with a single cableattachment. In addition, although the cable attachments of theembodiments disclosed herein are intended to seal and retain a cableentering a telecommunications closure, further embodiments of thepresent are adapted to either seal a cable or retain a cable as requiredby the specific performance requirements.

Turning now to the cable attachment of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-8, the cable attachment 10 comprises an adapter body 12, a gripdevice 14, a grommet device 16, a washer 18, and a bolt portion 20. Alsoshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an optional plug 22 that is selectivelyprovided to occupy the opening of the cable attachment when a cable isnot inserted in the cable attachment to prevent the ingress of water,dirt, moisture, infestation, or other undesirable matter into theclosure prior to insertion of a cable. The plug 22 is configured to beinserted into the cable attachment 10 a predetermined axial distance(which is limited by one or more collars shown in FIGS. 1-2) such thatthe plug is engaged by the grommet device 16 but not the grip device 14,as insertion of the plug into the grip device could damage the gripdevice and complicate removal of the plug.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the cable attachment 10 used with a cable 24that includes a jacket 26 that has been stripped to expose the requiredlength of buffer tube 28 and optical fiber (not shown) within the buffertube to enable the technician to splice, connect, or perform otheroperations on the optical fiber within the closure either before orafter the cable has been sealed and retained by the cable attachment. Asdescribed in more detail below, further embodiments of the presentinvention include cable attachments that do not require the cable to bestripped or provide for the cable to be stripped at any axial locationof the cable relative to the cable attachment.

The adapter body 12 of the cable attachment 10 of FIGS. 1-8 comprises aunitary component made of thermoplastic material; however, furtherembodiments of the present invention may be made of any number ofcomponents and of alternative materials such as metal to list anadditional non-limiting example. The adapter body 12 of FIGS. 1-8includes a first axial end 30 and a second axial end 32 generallyopposed to the first axial end. The adapter body 12 provides at leastone opening 34 sized to allow passage of at least one cable 24 throughthe adapter body in a generally axial direction. The opening 34 of theadapter body 12 may be completely encircled by the adapter body, such aswith a through hole, or the opening may be partially encircled, such aswith a slotted opening, channel, or the like, to give non-limitingexamples of openings through the adapter body. The adapter body 12defines a generally cylindrical shape with a frustoconical first axialend 30, an exterior threaded portion 36, a collar portion 38, and a hexportion 40; however, further embodiments of the present inventioncomprise alternative and/or additional shapes and/or features as suitedfor the particular closure and/or cable. The frustoconical first axialend 30 of the adapter body 12 is in part provided to create a lead-insurface 42, as shown in FIG. 2, to assist in the insertion of a cable 24through the adapter body and out the opening of the first axial end ofthe adapter body. The frustoconical first axial end 30 also provides anarea for the prongs of the grip device of the illustrated embodiment tomove during insertion of the cable 24, as described in more detailbelow. The area inside the frustoconical first axial end 30 also allowsportions of the cable proximate the stripped jacket, such as strengthmembers extending from the jacket (described below), to have room toexpand and contract based upon temperature variations. Referring againto the adapter body 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the opening of the firstaxial end 30 of the adapter body 12 defines a smaller cross-sectionalarea relative to the cross-sectional area of the opening of the secondaxial end 32 of the adapter body.

As discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b,the exterior threaded portion 36 of the adapter body is configured topass through the opening of the closure and to be retained by theclosure such that an interior portion of the adapter body at the firstaxial end of the adapter body is located inside the closure and anexterior portion at the second axial end of the adapter body is locatedoutside the closure. More specifically, the first axial end 30 of theadapter body 12 is passed through the opening of the closure until theclosure wall engages the collar portion 38. A retention device (notshown) that includes internal threading corresponding to the threadingof the exterior threaded portion is inserted over the first axial end 30of the adapter body and threaded toward the second axial end 32 untilthe retention device engages the interior of the closure to selectivelyretain the adapter body within the opening of the closure. Furtherembodiments of the present invention provide alternative structuresand/or devices for retaining the adapter body and/or cable attachmentrelative to the closure. In addition, the illustrated embodiments of thepresent invention show the cable attachment configured for positioningwithin the opening of the closure; however, still further embodiments ofthe present invention are configured to position the adapter body and/orother components of the cable attachment adjacent the opening of theclosure with or without any portion of the cable attachment passingthrough the opening of the closure. As used herein, “adjacent” isintended to mean that the adapter body is positioned near the openingand/or within the opening of the closure.

The hex portion 40 of the adapter body 12 of the cable attachment 10 ofFIGS. 1-8 is positioned opposite the collar portion 38 from the threadedexterior portion 36. The hex portion 40 is provided on the exterior body12 to enable a technician to prevent the adapter body from rotatingduring insertion and/or rotation of the bolt portion 20 of theillustrated embodiment. The opening 34 of the adapter body 12 extendsfrom the axial second end 32 to the first axial end 30 a certain axialdistance, and the adapter body defines a threaded interior portion 44along the opening 34. Similarly, the bolt portion 20 defines a threadedexterior portion 46 along an exterior surface of the bolt portion thatcorresponds to the threaded interior portion 44 of the opening of theadapter body 12, such that the bolt portion can be selectively threadedinto the adapter body. The hex portion 40 of the adapter body 12 may beclamped with a wrench by the technician while the technician threads thebolt portion 20 into the opening 34 of the adapter body 12 to keep theadapter body from unintentionally rotating. Further embodiments of thepresent invention provide alternative devices on the exterior and/orinterior of the adapter body and/or bolt portion to allow a technicianto conveniently move the bolt portion relative to the adapter body.Still further embodiments provide alternative shapes and/or features toenable the bolt portion and adapter body to be moved relative to oneanother and retained relative to one another.

Turning now to the grip device 14 of the cable attachment 10 of FIGS.1-4 and 10 a-13, the grip device includes at least one aperture 48 sizedto grip at least a portion of an outer surface of the cable 24. Theaperture 48 of the grip device may be completely closed, such as athrough hole, or partially enclosed, such as a slotted opening, channel,or the like, to give non-limiting examples of grip device apertures. Thegrip device 14 of FIGS. 14 and 10 a-13 comprises a grip washer, whereinthe grip washer further comprises at least one prong 50 for engaging theat least a portion of an outer surface of the cable 24. The grip washerof the cable attachment 10 of FIGS. 1-10 is configured to automaticallygrip the outer surface of the cable 24, such that the grip device 14does not require a compressive, or other, force from the other portionsof the cable attachment in order to grip the cable. Further embodimentsof the cable attachment of the present invention comprise grip devicesthat may or may not automatically grip the cable. As shown in FIGS. 14and 10 a-13, the grip device 14 includes a plurality of generally radialslits extending from the aperture 48 a certain distance toward theperimeter of the grip device. The prongs 50 of the grip device 14 aredefined between the generally radial slits. The prongs 50 also includean angled portion 52, such that a radially inward portion of the prongsare angled in one axial direction. Therefore, the angled portions 52 ofthe prongs 50 provide for easy insertion of a cable 24 through theaperture 48; however, the angled portions of the prongs grip at least aportion of an outer surface of the cable to prevent the cable from beingremoved from the grip device in an opposite direction from which it wasinserted. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIGS. 1-4 and 10 a-13, the grip device 14 is sized to allow insertion ofthe cable 24 through the aperture 48 with one to five pounds of force inan axial direction; however, removal of the cable from the aperture ofthe grip device requires approximately fifty pounds or more of force inan opposite axial direction. Therefore, the grip device 14 retains thecable 24 inserted into the cable attachment and provides strain reliefsuch that once the cable has been properly installed in the cableattachment and the one or more fibers connected within the closure, anaxial force exerted on the cable external to the closure will bedistributed through the cable attachment to minimize and/or preventdamage to the one or more fiber connections within the closure. Furtherembodiments of the present invention provide alternative designs for thegrip washer illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 10 a-13, while still furtherembodiments provide alternative grip devices, such as the grip devicesof FIGS. 15 a-18 d, to provide a number of non-limiting examples.

Some embodiments of the cable attachment and closure of the presentinvention are configured to be used with grounded cables. The cableinserted into the cable attachment and closure may comprise a metallicarmor, a metallic strength member, or other component that defines aground. The cable attachment is configured to pierce the jacket of thecable such that an electrically conductable portion of the cableattachment electrically engages the armor or strength member of thecable to thereby ground the cable attachment. Furthermore, the cableattachment of some embodiments of the present invention compriseelectrically conductable leads that electrically join the cable groundto the closure to thereby ground the closure. One non-limiting exampleof a grounded cable attachment comprises a grip device that pierces thejacket a sufficient amount to electrically contact the armor and/orstrength member to thereby ground the grip device. The grounded gripdevice is further connected to an electrical conductor, such as aconductor extending radially through the adapter body to provide onenon-limiting example, that is in electrical communication with at leastpart of the closure. Still further embodiments of the present inventioncomprise alternative devices and configurations to ground the cableattachment and closure when grounded cables are provided.

The grip device 14 of FIGS. 1-4 and 10 a-13 is configured to be insertedinto the opening 34 of the adapter body 12, and is inserted with theprongs 52 angled toward the first axial end 30 of the adapter body 12for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 (to insert the grip device with theprongs in the opposite direction would prevent the cable from passingthrough, and being engaged by, the grip device); however, furtherembodiments may orient the grip device in an alternative direction.Opposite the first axial end 30 of the grip device 14 is provided agrommet device 16 within the opening of the adapter body proximate thegrip device. The grommet device 16 of FIGS. 1-8 defines a generallycylindrical shape with a passageway therethrough to allow the cable totraverse the grommet device in a generally axial direction. As usedherein, “traverse” means that the cable passes through and/or around thegrommet device.

The grommet device 16 of FIGS. 1-8 comprises an elastomeric material,examples include but are not limited to silicone materials, neoprenematerials, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), that is easilydeformable relative to the thermoplastic material of the adapter bodyand bolt portion and to the metal of the grip device 14; however,further embodiments of the cable attachment provide grommet devices ofalternative material. The grommet device 16 is intended to change shapewhen exposed to forces, such as compressive forces in the illustratedembodiment. For the grommet device 16 of FIGS. 1-8, as axiallycompressive forces are exerted upon the grommet device as the boltportion 20 is threaded into the adapter body 12, the diameter of thepassageway 54 is reduced such that the grommet device engages the outersurface of the cable 24. The cable attachment 10 of FIGS. 1-8 ispreferably configured to provide a sealing engagement of the grommetdevice 16 about the outer surface of the cable 24, such that water,moisture, dirt, infestation, and/or other undesirable material are notable to enter the closure through the cable attachment. Additionalembodiments of the present invention provide alternative grommet devicesof different shapes, materials, and/or sizes such that one or moreforces exerted upon the grommet device enables the grommet device topartially or completely provide a seal about an outer surface of acable.

The grommet device of various embodiments of the present inventioncomprises one or more keyed portions along an exterior wall of thegrommet that engages the opening of the adapter body. The opening of theadapter body also includes one or more keyed slots adapted to receivethe keyed portions, such that the grommet device can be rotationallyretained within the adapter body. Furthermore, the grommet device ofsuch embodiments of the cable attachment includes a passageway thatdefines a cross-section, such as elliptical to provide one non-limitingexample, that is adapted to receive a cable that defines a correspondingcross-section. Because the grommet is rotationally fixed relative to theadapter body and the adapter body is rotationally fixed relative to theclosure in some embodiments of the invention (see discussion of FIGS. 9a and 9 b below), cables having non-circular cross-sections can beinserted into the cable attachments in a preferred orientation such thatthe portions of the one or more cables exterior to the closure can beconveniently routed in a desired direction to minimize damage to thefibers or minimize stresses created on the cable when bending. Furtherembodiments of the present invention comprise alternative features andconfigurations to provide convenient routing of the cables exterior tothe closure.

The washer 18 is provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 to provideprotection for the grommet device 16 from wear on the axial surface thatengages the bolt portion 20. Additional embodiments of the presentinvention provide alternative devices to protect the grommet deviceand/or provide grommet devices that do not need protection. Furtherembodiments of the present invention may provide on the bolt portion asurface of a particular shape, material, or texture for minimizingdamage to the grommet device. Still further embodiments of the presentembodiment may omit the washer and other components for protection ofthe grommet device.

The bolt portion 20 of the cable attachment 10 of FIGS. 14 comprises aunitary component made of thermoplastic material, preferably the samematerial as used in the adapter body 12; however, further embodiments ofthe present invention may be made of alternative materials such as metalto list an additional non-limiting example. Although the bolt portion 20of FIGS. 14 is generally shaped similar to a conventional bolt, boltportions of further embodiments of the present invention comprise shapesand features that do not necessarily resemble a bolt portion. The boltportion of the present invention is any component that is selectivelymoveable, relative to the adapter body, to provide a force on thegrommet device regardless of shape, size, location or orientation of thecable relative to the bolt portion, or any other feature of the boltportion. Turning again to the bolt portion 20 of FIGS. 14, the boltportion comprises a through hole that defines an axis that is generallyaligned with an axis of the grommet device; however further embodimentsof the bolt portion comprise through holes of any shape and orientationor no through hole at all. In addition, the bolt portion 20 isconfigured to engage the adapter body 12, such as by threading the boltportion into the opening 34 of the adapter body to describe onenon-limiting example of engagement between the bolt portion and adapterbody. The bolt portion 20 preferably has a collar 56 at an axial end ofthe threaded exterior portion 46, which preferably limits the distancethat the bolt portion may be threaded into the adapter body 12. Furtherembodiments of the cable attachment of the present invention comprisebolt portions with removable washers or other devices for selectivelyadjusting the amount of travel the bolt portion may make relative to theadapter body.

Returning again to the bolt portion 20 of the cable attachment 10 ofFIGS. 1-4, by threading the bolt portion into the opening 34 of theadapter body 12, the bolt portion selectively applies a force upon thegrommet device 16 (through the washer 18) such that the grommet deviceengages the outer surface of the cable 24. The bolt portion 20 of FIGS.1-4 applies a compressive force upon the grommet device 16 to cause theinner diameter of the grommet device to decrease and create a seal aboutthe outer surface of the cable; however, further embodiments of thepresent invention provide alternative bolt portions that definealternative engagements with the adapter body to provide differentforces upon the grommet device in order to cause the grommet device toengage the outer surface of the cable.

To install the cable attachment 10 of FIGS. 1-8, if the cable attachmentis not already positioned within the opening of the closure, thetechnician preferably accesses the closure to remove any component thatmay be occupying or obstructing the opening of the closure, such as agrommet. The technician axially inserts the adapter body (which may ormay not be attached to the other portions of the cable attachment) fromoutside the closure until the collar portion engages the exterior wallof the closure proximate the opening. The technician then threads on theretention device (not shown) on the interior portion of the adapter bodyuntil the adapter body is axially secured in the opening of the closure.If the cable attachment includes the grip device, grommet device, andbolt portion when installed in the closure, the technician rotates thebolt portion away from the adapter body such that the passageway of thegrommet device is opened sufficiently for a cable to pass therethrough.If a plug 22 is provided in the cable attachment 10, it may be removedfrom the cable attachment once the passageway has been sufficientlyopened, and the plug may be discarded or saved for subsequent use. Thetechnician then feeds the cable 24 through the cable assembly 10, suchas is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 until the cable defines the desired axialposition, e.g., the amount of cable fed into the closure is a sufficientamount to enable the technician to perform the necessary fiber opticjoining operation, such as splicing and/or connectorizing.Alternatively, if only the adapter body is installed in the closure, thetechnician may feed the cable axially through the bolt portion, thewasher 18 (if desired), the grommet device 16, the grip device 14, andthen through the adapter body and then insert the grip device, grommetdevice, washer, and bolt portion in the opening of the adapter body andthen thread the bolt portion into the adapter body to define theassembled cable attachment. Further embodiments of the present inventioncomprise alternative and/or additional procedures for installing thecable attachment in the closure and/or passing the cable through thecable attachment.

As mentioned earlier, the cable attachment 10 may be used with cables 24that that include a jacket 26 (and other components such as strengthmembers to list one example) about one or more buffer tubes 28, suchthat the jacket may be selectively stripped from the buffer tube at adesired axial position, such as is illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternativeembodiments of the present invention include cable attachments for usewith non-stripped cables. However, the cable attachment 10 of theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is configured to accept strippedcables 24 as the opening of the first axial end 30 of the adapter body12 is sized to allow passage of only the buffer tube 28 of the cable.Because the technician will be inserting a stripped cable 24, thetechnician should ensure that the grip device 14 has gripped at least aportion of the outer surface of the jacket 26 of the cable, as thebuffer tube 28 defines a diameter too small to be gripped by the prongs50 of the grip device. In order for the technician to be able tovisually verify that the cable 24 has been axially inserted into thecable attachment 10 a sufficient length, one or more windows 60 areprovided within the first axial end 30, such that a portion of the atleast one opening of the adapter body is visible from a generally radialdirection relative to an axis of the at least one opening of the adapterbody. More specifically, the windows 60 are located between the openingof the first axial end 30 of the adapter body 12 and the fully installedgrip device 14 so that the technician may be able to see that the jacket26 of the cable 24 has passed through the grip device such that thecable is adequately retained and/or strain relieved by the cableattachment. FIG. 5 illustrates an installed cable in which only thebuffer tube 28 is visible through the window 60, thus indicating to thetechnician that the cable 24 should be inserted axially further into thecable attachment as the grip device 14 may not be engaging the outersurface of the cable. FIG. 6 illustrates a properly installed cable 24in which the technician can verify that the jacket 26 has passed throughthe grip device 14 a sufficient axial length to provide the desiredretention and/or strain relief. Further embodiments of the presentinvention provide alternative devices and/or features to enable atechnician to ensure that the cable is properly installed in the cableattachment.

Turning now to the adapter body 12 of FIGS. 7 and 8, the adapter body 12includes a tab portion 62 defined on an exterior surface of the adapterbody, such that the tab portion rotationally fixes the adapter bodyrelative to the closure, which is particularly helpful when thetechnician is threading the retention device (not shown) to axiallysecure the adapter body to the closure, as shown if FIGS. 9 a and 9 b,and when the technician is rotating the bolt portion 20 relative to theadapter body to selectively apply and remove forces on the grommetdevice 16. The tab portion 62 of the illustrated embodiment comprisesslot into which a protrusion on the closure engages to prevent rotationof the adapter body relative to the closure. Alternative embodiments ofthe present invention comprise alternative tab portions configured torotationally fix the adapter body relative to the closure.

Two closures 64 of slightly different designs are illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9 b, wherein each closure has eight openings that have cableattachments 10 positioned adjacent thereto, or more specifically,positioned within the openings. The cable attachments 10 are illustratedwithout cables 24 or plugs 22 inserted therein. The cable attachments ofFIGS. 9 a and 9 b are fully installed such that the tab portion 62 ofeach adapter body 12 engages a protrusion 66 of the closure 64, suchthat each adapter body is rotationally fixed relative to the closure.Further embodiments of the present invention comprise closures having atleast one opening and/or defining alternative protrusions configured torotationally fix adapter bodies installed proximate thereto.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 a-13 the grip device 14 is shown from a numberof vantage points to illustrate the grip provided by the prongs 50 ofthe grip device. As the jacket 26 of the cable 24 defines an ellipticalcross-section, only four of the eight prongs 50 of the grip device 14grip the outer surface of the cable; however, enough grip is provided bythe four prongs of the grip device to provide the desired retentionand/or strain relief for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13. Furtherembodiments of the present invention comprise alternative grip devicesadapted for specific cable cross-sections and/or alternative designs forgripping the cable.

Additional embodiments of the present invention are provided in FIGS. 14a-18 d, wherein alternative cable attachments 110-510 are illustrated.The cable attachment 110 of FIGS. 14 a-14 d includes a jacket piercinggrip device 114, which may also be known as an insulation displacementcontact (“DC”). The grommet device 116, which may or may not provide asealing engagement with the outer surface of the cable, is axiallypositioned along the cable 124. The grommet device 116 of the embodimentof FIGS. 14 a-14 d is a retainer insert and does not provide a sealingengagement with the outer surface of the cable 124; however, a seal isprovided by the cable attachment 110 with a heat shrink portion, asdiscussed below. One or more jacket piercing grip devices 114 areinserted into one or more generally radially oriented slots until thegrip devices pierce the jacket of the cable 124 and preferably engagethe strength members of the cable to improve the retention and/or strainrelief of the cable attachment 110. The technician may need to usepliers or other equipment to fully engage the grip device 114 with thecable 124 to grip the cable. A bolt portion 120, which comprises aretainer body in the embodiment of FIGS. 14 a-14 d, is then axiallyadvanced to generally enclose the grommet device 116. The bolt portion120 of FIGS. 14 a-14 d preferably includes a heat shrink portion thatmay be shrunk once the bolt portion is in position to provide a seal forthe cable attachment 110. The cable attachment 110 of FIG. 14 c may thenbe inserted into the adapter body 112 which is preferably positionedadjacent the opening of the closure. The bolt portion 120 may include athreaded portion to engage the adapter body or other features toselectively engage the adapter body. One non-limiting example offeatures for selective engagement of the bolt portion and adapter bodyincludes a bolt portion and adapter body configured to replicate theOPTITAP™ connectors available from Corning Cable Systems LLC of Hickory,N.C.

Turning now to the cable attachment 210 of FIGS. 15 a-15 d, the cableattachment 210 is comparable to the cable attachment 110 of FIGS. 14a-14 d but with the addition of an extra set of jacket piercing gripdevices 214. Similarly, the cable attachment 310 of FIGS. 16 a-16 d issimilar to the cable attachment 110 of FIGS. 14 a-14 d but the cableattachment 310 includes the jacket piercing grip devices 314 that definea U-shaped design such that a single grip device 314 is capable ofgripping the outer surface of the cable in at least two locations. Thecable attachment 410 of FIGS. 17 a-17 d is also similar to the cableattachment 110 of FIGS. 14 a-14 d; however the grip device 414 comprisesa single set screw that is threaded into the grommet device 416 to gripthe outer surface of the cable 424. Likewise, the cable attachment 510of FIGS. 18 a-18 d comprises a grip device 514 of two set screws forgripping the outer surface of the cable 524. Still further embodimentsof the present invention comprise alternative grip devices and othercomponents of the cable attachment and closure.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

1. A cable attachment for sealing and retaining a cable entering atelecommunications closure through an opening defined in the closure,the cable attachment comprising: an adapter body configured forpositioning adjacent the opening of the closure, wherein the adapterbody provides at least one opening sized to allow passage of at leastone cable; a grip device provided within the at least one opening of theadapter body, wherein the grip device defines an aperture sized to gripat least a portion of an outer surface of the cable; a grommet deviceprovided within the at least one opening of the adapter body andproximate the grip device, wherein the grommet device defines apassageway to allow the cable to traverse the grommet device in agenerally axial direction relative to the cable; and a bolt portionconfigured to engage the adapter body, wherein the bolt portion isadapted to selectively apply a force upon the grommet device such thatthe grommet device engages the outer surface of the cable.
 2. A cableattachment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening of theadapter body is sized to allow passage of at least one fiber opticcable.
 3. A cable attachment according to claim 1, wherein the adapterbody defines an interior portion at a first axial end and an exteriorportion at a second axial end generally opposed to the first axial end,wherein the adapter body is configured to pass through the opening ofthe closure and to be retained by the closure such that the interiorportion of the adapter body is located inside the closure and theexterior portion of the adapter body is located outside the closure. 4.A cable attachment according to claim 3, wherein the at least oneopening of the adapter body defines a smaller cross-sectional area atthe first axial end relative to the cross-sectional area of the at leastone opening at the second axial end.
 5. A cable attachment according toclaim 1, wherein the adapter body defines a first axial end and a secondaxial end generally opposed to the first axial end, and wherein thefirst axial end comprises at least one window, such that a portion ofthe at least one opening of the adapter body is visible from a generallyradial direction relative to an axis of the at least one opening of theadapter body.
 6. A cable attachment according to claim 1, wherein thegrip device comprises a grip washer.
 7. A cable attachment according toclaim 1, wherein the grip device comprises at least one set screw.
 8. Acable attachment according to claim 1, wherein the grip device comprisesat least one prong for engaging at least a portion of the outer surfaceof the cable.
 9. A cable attachment according to claim 1, whereinpassageway of the grommet device comprises a through hole defining anaxis that is generally aligned with an axis of the adapter body.
 10. Acable attachment according to claim 1, wherein the passageway of thegrommet device defines a non-circular cross-section, and wherein thegrommet device comprises a keyed portion such that the grommet devicemay be selectively oriented relative to the adapter body.
 11. A cableattachment according to claim 1, further comprising a plug that isselectively retained by at least the grommet device to seal the cableattachment prior to entry of the cable into the closure.
 12. A cableattachment according to claim 1, wherein the adapter body includes atleast one tab portion defined on an exterior surface of the adapter bodysuch that the tab portion rotationally fixes the adapter body relativeto the closure.
 13. A cable attachment according to claim 1, wherein theadapter body defines a threaded interior portion and the bolt portiondefines a threaded exterior portion such that the bolt portion can beselectively threaded into the adapter body.
 14. A telecommunicationsdevice comprising: a closure defining at least one opening; a cableattachment comprising: an adapter body configured for positioningadjacent the opening of the closure, wherein the adapter body providesat least one opening sized to allow passage of at least one cable; agrip device provided within the at least one opening of the adapterbody, wherein the grip device defines an aperture sized to grip at leasta portion of an outer surface of the cable; a grommet device providedwithin the at least one opening of the adapter body and proximate thegrip device, wherein the grommet device defines a passageway to allowthe cable to traverse the grommet device in a generally axial directionrelative to the cable; and a bolt portion configured to engage theadapter body, wherein the bolt portion is adapted to selectively apply aforce upon the grommet device such that the grommet device engages theouter surface of the cable; wherein the cable attachment is adapted toseal and retain a cable entering the closure through the at least oneopening defined in the closure.
 15. A telecommunications deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein the grip device comprises a grip washer.16. A telecommunications device according to claim 14, furthercomprising a plug that is selectively retained by at least the grommetdevice to seal the cable attachment prior to entry of the cable into theclosure.
 17. A telecommunications device according to claim 14, whereinthe adapter body defines a threaded interior portion and the boltportion defines a threaded exterior portion such that the bolt portioncan be selectively threaded into the adapter body.
 18. A method ofinserting a cable into a telecommunications closure through a cableattachment, comprising: inserting the cable through a bolt portion, apassageway of a grommet device, an aperture of a grip device, and anopening of an adapter body; and moving the bolt portion of the cableattachment relative to the adapter body of the cable attachment.
 19. Amethod according to claim 18, further comprising: stripping at least anouter portion of the cable prior to inserting the cable to define astripped portion of the cable and an unstripped portion of the cable,such that only the stripped portion of the cable is inserted through anopening of the adapter body when the cable is inserted through the boltportion, the passageway of the grommet device, the aperture of the gripdevice, and the opening of the adapter body.
 20. A method according toclaim 18, further comprising: removing a plug from the cable attachmentprior to inserting the cable.